After two opening rounds of EPCR Challenge Cup action in December packed full of thrills, we take a look at all the matches in Round 3 as some of the world’s best sides in club rugby prepare to take to the international stage once more.
With qualification on the line, expect these last two rounds to heat up, as sides look to grab crucial points to make it over the line, while coveted home knockout spots will also prove crucial.
Friday: Gloucester Rugby host Scarlets
The curtain of EPCR Challenge Cup Round 3 comes up at Kingsholm when Gloucester Rugby welcome Scarlets.
The English side, despite being fifth in Pool 3 after a win and a loss, are just two points behind first. They will be hoping to draw off some impressive recent Gallagher Premiership wins against Northampton Saints, Harlequins and Sale Sharks as they search for qualification.
As for Scarlets, one win and a one-point loss against Aviron Bayonnais mean they are third, tied on six points with leaders Edinburgh Rugby. A win on New Year’s Day over Dragons RFC to move up to sixth in the United Rugby Championship means they will be raring to hit the ground running in Round 3.
Saturday: Connacht, LOU, RC Vannes and Edinburgh’s top of the table clashes and Aviron Bayonnais head to Georgia for Black Lion test
USAP host Cardiff Rugby to start Saturday’s action with the French side looking for their first win.
Having drawn to Toyota Cheetahs before falling to Connacht Rugby, USAP, fourth in Pool 1, will be looking to replicate the form that saw them overcome Stade Rochelais in TOP 14 recently.
As for Cardiff, third, a three-match unbeaten streak and sitting third in the URC is precisely the form they will want to bring in to Round 3 if they are to confirm their qualification sooner rather than later.
RC Vannes host Edinburgh Rugby in the same slot on Saturday for a top-of-the-table clash in Pool 3.
The French side, second, have had a strong start so far in their debut season. But three defeats from three over the TOP 14 Christmas period means they’ll be coming into Round 3 slightly cold.
The Scottish side, first, impressed with their 52-12 win over Aviron Bayonnais before edging out Glasgow Warriors in the last Scottish derby – form they will be wanting to bring into Saturday’s game.
Black Lion, fourth in an open Pool 3, return to EPCR Challenge Cup action after impressive performances in Rounds 1 and 2, including a win over TOP 14 side RC Vannes.
Heading to Georgia on Saturday is French side Aviron Bayonnais who, despite an identical EPCR Challenge Cup record to Black Lion, sit sixth. Armed with two TOP 14 wins from three, they head east in fine form.
It’s then the turn of the Ospreys to host Newcastle Falcons for a key tie in Pool 2.
The Welsh region, fifth on five points, will be keen to hit the ground running on Saturday as they look for key points to push them towards qualification. An unbeaten festive period in the URC means they stand in positive stead heading into Round 3.
As for the Falcons, without a win yet with some heavy defeats over Christmas in the Premiership against top sides, including Bath, Northampton and Harlequins, have meant they are left in improvable form coming into Round 3. They will need to find what it took to beat Saracens in November if they are to get off the bottom.
Montpellier Hérault Rugby then host Emirates Lions for what promises to be a thrilling clash. Current Pool 2 leaders Montpellier won their opening two games in this season’s competition and that, combined with their impressive three wins from three over the festive period in TOP 14, means they head back to the EPCR Challenge Cup action full of confidence.
As for visitors Emirates Lions, fourth, they will be looking to steady the ship of some fluctuating recent form and will be drawing inspiration from their win over Section Paloise in Round 2 to move up the table.
Closing out Saturday’s rugby is a top-of-the-table Pool 1 clash between Connacht Rugby and Lyon Olympique Universitaire (LOU).
Connacht, first, will be looking to find the form that led them to two wins in Rounds 1 and 2 as they look to right the wrongs of double interpro derby defeats over Christmas in the URC.
As for LOU, second, they followed up their Round 1 and 2 wins with solid TOP 14 form over the festive period. Draws against strong sides such as Stade Toulousain and Racing 92 as well as a win over USAP last weekend mean they will have confidence heading to Ireland.
Sunday: Toyota Cheetahs host Zebre Parma for a must-win tie; Section Paloise heads to Dragons RFC.
Zebre Parma heads to the Netherlands to take on Toyota Cheetahs in the first of Sunday’s games.
The Cheetahs, fifth in Pool 1 on two points, have not played since their draw and a loss in the opening rounds of the competition. They will be hoping the rest and work put in over Christmas will push them up the table towards qualification.
As for Zebre Parma, four consecutive defeats in all competitions means they will be desperate for a change of fortune on their EPCR Challenge Cup return. Despite being sixth, the Italian side, just one point off fourth, still have a strong possibility of qualifying if they can get some results.
Dragons RFC then host Section Paloise to finish off Round 3 in a decisive Pool 2 clash.
The Welsh side, third, will be looking to their impressive Round 2 win over Newcastle Falcons (14-22) for inspiration as they look to improve after two URC defeats over Christmas.
Section Paloise, second on six points, are in search of a more stable form. Two losses from their last three TOP 14 outings will serve as motivation for improvement for the French side.